Polk Sheriff's Patrol Car Hits, Kills Pedestrian

A young patrol deputy on his way home from work early Friday struck and killed a man trying to cross Havendale Boulevard on foot, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

By RICK ROUSOSTHE LEDGER

AUBURNDALE | A young patrol deputy on his way home from work early Friday struck and killed a man trying to cross Havendale Boulevard on foot, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.Martin W. Knoetasch, 56, tried to walk across Havendale at 42nd Street about 6 a.m. He crossed the westbound lanes of Havendale and was hit when he tried to cross the eastbound lanes.Knoetasch was hit by a 2007 Chevy Impala driven by Deputy William Tull, 21, who was on his way home after working a shift on patrol.Deputies said Tull had a green light as he crossed the intersection.The intersection was lit, and Knoetasch wore jeans and a medium- to dark-colored shirt, sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said. Knoetasch had no known address. Tull, who was uninjured, was wearing his seat belt.The road was closed for about 3½ hours.The Sheriff's Office said Knoetasch had been booked into the Polk County Jail 42 times on 78 charges, many involving drinking-related incidents or trespassing. On June 9, Auburndale Police responded twice to Havendale and 42nd Street after receiving reports of Knoetasch walking into traffic, Wood said.She said Knoetasch habitually wandered into parking lots and into Havendale Boulevard asking motorists for money. The Sheriff's Office is still investigating the fatality, and its findings will be forwarded to the State Attorney's Office for review.Tull has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure in cases such as this. Tull was hired in February 2012, and his annual salary is $41,460.